Fort Worth police Sgt. Pedro Criado told The Associated Press that Pachall was taken into custody early Thursday after he was pulled over for running a stop sign near TCU's Fort Worth campus. Criado says Pachall's blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit, but wouldn't provide specifics.

This latest development makes even clearer one point: Coach Gary Patterson is doing now what should have been done a long time ago—sit Pachall.

This is the second serious off-field issue for Pachall, and another distraction Patterson can’t ignore.

Patterson and TCU can not continue to enable a player—a 21-year-old young man—who obviously needs help.

Patterson, who has led TCU to unprecedented heights over the last decade, didn’t suspend Pachall then—even after issuing a statement that he was aware of the quarterback’s positive test.

Pachall has started and played in every game this season, leading the Horned Frogs to a 4-0 record and a No. 13 ranking in the latest coaches poll. Pachall currently is the fifth-rated passer in the NCAA.

But forget about football for a moment and concentrate on what’s unfolding in front of us. Pachall already proved, beyond reasonable doubt, that he needed help—and needed discipline.

We don’t know if he has received help for the previous drug use, but he most certainly didn’t receive discipline when he needed it. At least, discipline that sent a serious message.

"My job as head coach is to win games, educate our kids and help them with their lives," Patterson said in a statement released Thursday.

One thing matters most to players: getting on the field. The more coaches take away opportunities to play and opportunities for players to show their abilities to NFL scouts, the more focused off the field players become.

Pachall's suspension will hurt the team, for sure.

Running back Matthew Tucker is a game-time decision for Saturday because of an ankle injury. He replaced starter Waymon James, who was lost for the year with a knee injury.

Patterson said that if Tucker was unable to play, he would probably slide backup QB Trevone Boykin to tailback. But, with Pachall suspended, that might not be an option.